This is the 2024 workshop I’m the most excited for, at no other event can I offer so much during one course. This two week intensive exploration of high relief sheet metal sculpture will cover all the techniques I need to accomplish the unique aspects of my work. We will be learning how to use raising and shaping stakes in combination with chasing, repousse, and uchidashi techniques to make high relief sculptures.
What to expect:
If you have not worked with me in person before, the way I run workshops of this nature is to begin everyone with a thoroughly structured warm up project. This allows us a day or two to cover the tooling, the pitch, material sciences, technique and design strategy. As well as allowing me time to learn where everyone is coming from in the class. The second project will be an open discussion based on the individuals strengths and interests. I have a wide variety of intermediate to advanced designs that can be chosen, or you can try and tackle your own design after discussing it with me first.
This is one of the things that makes this workshop so special is that we will have the extra time for me to be there helping folks through the challenges of their own design.
Be Prepared:
If you plan to attempt your own design I would strongly encourage you to have drawings and reference photos prepared in advance. I personally think it’s a pretty big challenge to ask someone to try and sculpt something they have not drawn before. So be prepared to draw and be prepared to sculpt. We will have modeling clay and sculpting tools on hand for folks as well in order to rough out their ideas if you are a more visual thinker.
The nature of metal sculpture is loud and very physical. Be prepared to swing a hammer 7-8 hours a day for many days in a row. Earring protection will be provided but if you have any personalized ear or safety equipment you cannot live without then be sure to bring it.
And as always I would recommend bringing any kind of sketchbook. It is our number one tool to never be without.
Timeline:
This course starts June 18th and concludes on June 28th.
Two weeks is a longtime to go without breaks with such physical work. So Sunday, June 23rd, will be our day off to rest or sight see. That will offer us 10 days (two 5 day sessions) to hammer and sculpt to our hearts content without working ourselves to exhaustion.
Everyday class will start at 8am, we’ll break for a 45-60 minute lunch at 12:30pm, and class will close at 5pm.
Tooling/Materials Provided:
All of the hammers, shaping stakes, chasing punch sets, pitch bowls, as well as safety equipment will be on hand for us. Everything I would need to accomplish my artwork will be available for our class.
Everyone will be provided with a few pieces of 18ga-16ga (approx 1mm-1.6mm) copper for the warm up and second project. If you choose to make your own custom piece that has a larger unique size/thickness or different metal type we can arrange that as an additional material fee to meet your needs.
Our host:
Meet Metal Arts Academy! I have worked with our hosts for many years and cannot speak more highly of them! Check out their new larger location as well as all the other classes they offer! https://www.instagram.com/metal_arts_academy/ https://metalartsacademy.com/ Address: 337 Commercial Street #100 Auburn, CA 95603 Contact: (530) 820-3278 metalartsacademy@gmail.com
